One track 52 minutes. Just 2 minutes in and still sounds as doom...

The promosheet accompanying it

"The third full-length from French doomsters MONOLITHE follows a familiar pattern to its predecessors, comprising one epic song sprawled out over an incredible 52 minutes. There the similarities end: "Monolithe III" introduces a bigger, bolder and more sophisticated incarnation of this internationally-acclaimed act, which has forged a solid reputation for itself as a genre-defining entity. Teeming with powerful, crushing, dark-yet-melodic Doom Metal, "Monolithe III" ushers the listener on a journey through time and space, introducing a plethora of moods and twists along the way. Following on from the themes explored on previous releases, this new full-length follows the fate of mankind in a distant, remote future, where everything is possibly known and done. MONOLITHE's trademark sound has been honed and perfected, a seamless union of heavyweight rhythm guitars, twin leads and dark layers of keyboards all contained within a mystic, grandiose atmosphere. A landmark release for band and label alike, "Monolithe III" soars timelessly, forging a unique link between the prehistoric past and an uncertain future. The quintessential listening experience; live it.

::Biography::

Among the contemporary Doom Metal bands who have risen in the international scene during the last decade, French-based MONOLITHE, whose musical journeys opened up new horizons for the genre, stood out from the mass since its early days.

MONOLITHE's music needs to be lived more than listened to. Its atmosphere is grandiose and epic. The entire discography is a musical saga that mixes heaviness, mysticism and complex structures tinged with hints of progressive flair. The listener is invited into a world of beauty, horror and nothingness.

Formed in 2001, MONOLITHE is the creation of Sylvain Bégot. Their debut album, "Monolithe I" was released in 2003 (Appease Me...) and started the series of 50-minute, single-track albums which would later become the band's trademark.
"Monolithe I" was a well-received effort and MONOLITHE were able to establish themselves on the international stage. With "Monolithe II" released in 2005 (Candlelight Records/ Appease Me...) the band maintained they did not want to become repetitive but intended to harmonize their saga by maintaining consistency in their lyrics and music.

With their EPs "Interlude Premier" (2007) and "Interlude Second" (2012), MONOLITHE tried to push the frontiers of the genre by experiencing and using unusual musical vocabulary. These two records have been released on the internet free of charge.

From now on, MONOLITHE are partners with Debemur Morti Productions. They are currently writing their new album, already announced as a "progression in continuity".

Again, this new piece will consist of a single long track.

::Line-up::

Sylvain Bégot : Guitars, bass, keyboards & devices.
Benoît Blin : Guitars & bass.
Richard Loudin : Vocals.
Sébastien Latour : Additional keyboards & orchestration.

::Additional info::

All music and lyrics composed and written by Sylvain Bégot.
Recorded & produced at Reed Reed Studio in 2012.
Mixed and mastered at Hybreed Studio by Andrew Guillotin.
Layout & design by Robert Høyem from At The Ends of The Earth Designs."

Holy hell, you received your pre-order ? I'm really jealous x|

I listened to it once, and I'm very pleased... Big contender for my AOTY in doom category.

Written by InnerSelf on 26.10.2012 at 02:32

Holy hell, you received your pre-order ? I'm really jealous x|

Its been leaked apparently. Have not heard it.

However, according to their official page, the album will be streaming on doometal.com.

Not as out-there, mechanized or alien as Interlude Second. The sound is not as sterile (in a good way) and it's overall a bit closer to traditional death doom, I'd say. Not so much hypnotic repetition in the songwriting. But don't get me wrong, it's still pretty weird and definitely not a step back to their funeral doom roots. Just a slight tweak in style. Judging by the first four listens, anyway. I like the EP better, for now, but this isn't disappointing either.

And yeah, it's streaming now.
http://www.doom-metal.com/radio.php

Really groovy at times (=

Another great album from Monolithe.

Very addictive album. Really groovy and melodic. Have to check out the rest of their discography.

I'm glad I listened to this after not liking the I and II albums at all. This is MUCH better.

I watched the 2001: A Space Odyssey movie just for what this album made me feel like. One of THE best movies I have seen ever. Brilliant use of background music there even though most of it was picked up classical scores. It was as if the movie was so good that Kubrick decided that no one alive will be to write a score that matches the film and looked over to the giants. Made the film look elevated to those heights as well.

Brilliant movie and a brilliant album here. Definitely their best for me.

Written by carltonh on 24.10.2013 at 22:35

I'm glad I listened to this after not liking the I and II albums at all. This is MUCH better.

I like all the Monolithe albums a lot, but I agree that this is their best. Monolithe II is the worst. It didn't quite click with me for some reason.

In all honestly a huge disappointment after the incredible and unique Interlude Second. I think even as an f-doom / doom album it's pretty underwhelming. First two albums are good though.

Written by [user id=4365] on 13.05.2014 at 01:48

In all honestly a huge disappointment after the incredible and unique Interlude Second. I think even as an f-doom / doom album it's pretty underwhelming. First two albums are good though.

I don't see anything wrong with this. In fact, it's a great album if you ask me. Actually I know all four full-length albums but not their EP's. Going to give them a spin. Btw, this one sure as hell beats Monolithe II for me.

Written by Erik M. on 17.05.2014 at 21:26


I don't see anything wrong with this. In fact, it's a great album if you ask me. Actually I know all four full-length albums but not their EP's. Going to give them a spin. Btw, this one sure as hell beats Monolithe II for me.

Well there's nothing wrong at all with it. It's still better than most funeral doom to be fair, but not to my taste so much these days.

My fav doom album of all time. It is absolutely perfect for me, its industrial, funeral, melodic, space/cosmic-themed, groovy and really well produced. I tried to listen to their previous albums after this but couldn't considering how raw/old the production sounded. All their subsequent releases I really enjoy but this is really my favourite, God-tier stuff for me. Maybe I listened to it in a time of my life where I wasn't much exposed to doom but it definitely stuck with me really good and it truly is one of the bests I've listened to in my frugal experience with the genre.

While it was disappointing at first to discover that Monolithe wasn't planning on developing the sounds found on the previous EP, I still very much welcome this release. While not as intriguing as the second Monolithe (I swear I must be the only one who thinks Monolithe II is better than the debut and this one), it still displays a varied songwriting that is unique to them. I'd say it's probably the most riffy album of their first era (from beginning, up to, and including Monolithe IV).